Vol. 7(28), pp. 1994-1999, 29 July, 2013 DOI 10.5897/AJPP2013.3506 ISSN 1996-0816 © 2013 Academic Journals http://www.academicjournals.org/AJPP African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology Full Length Research Paper Protective effects of aqueous extract of M. pruriens Linn. (DC) seed against cisplatin induced oxidative stress and nephrotoxicity in rats Ketan Modi 1 , Biraju Patel 3 , Dhaval Patel 1 , Jayant Chavda 1 and Ramesh Goyal 2 1 B.K. Mody Govt. Pharmacy College, Rajkot, Gujarat, India. 2 School of Life Sciences, Ahmedabad University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. 3 Smt. R. B. Patel Mahila Pharmacy College, Atkot, Gujarat, India. Accepted 17 June, 2013 In the present study, we investigated the effect of the aqueous extract of Mucuna pruriens, against cisplatin induced oxidative stress and nephrotoxicity in rats. Nephrotoxicity was induced by a single dose of cisplatin (5 mg/kg body weight i.p.). Cisplatin administration resulted in significant increases in urine volume, serum creatinine and urea and significant decrease in creatinine clearance and urinary sodium in comparison with control. Also, the renal tissue from the cisplatin treated rats showed significant decreases in the kidney glutathione content, superoxide dismutase and catalase activity and a significant increase in lipid peroxides levels. Seven days after M. pruriens extract at a dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg plus cisplatin treatments significantly decrease urea, creatinine and significantly increase creatinine clearance levels as compared to cisplatin rats in a dose dependent manner. In addition, M. pruriens prevented the rise of lipid peroxides and the reduction of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione activities in a dose dependent manner. These results suggest that M. pruriens extract has protective effects against cisplatin induced oxidative stress and nephrotoxicity in rats. Key words: Mucuna pruriens, cisplatin, lipid peroxidation, free radicals. INTRODUCTION Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II, CP), one of the most potent and widely used anticancer drugs containing platinum, is highly effective against many tumors, including testicular, small cell lung, head and neck, and bladder carcinomas (Meyer et al., 1994). However, the clinical usefulness of this drug is limited by the development of nephrotoxicity, a side effect that may be produced in various animal models (Kim et al., 1997; Greggi et al., 2001; Chirino et al., 2004; Weijl et al., 2004). The xenobiotic-induced alterations in kidney functions are characterized by signs of injury, such as changes in urine volume, creatinine clearance, in glutathione (GSH) status, increase of lipid peroxidation (LPO). Formation of free radicals, leading to oxidative stress, has been shown to be one of the main pathogenic mechanisms of these toxicities and side effects of nephrotoxicants (Greggi et al., 2000; Atessahin et al., 2003). CP induced nephrotoxicity is also closely associated with an increase in LPO in the kidney tissues. This antitumoural drug causes generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical, to deplete of GSH levels and to inhibit the activity of antioxidant enzymes in renal tissue. ROS may produce cellular injury and necrosis via several mechanisms including peroxidation of membrane lipids, protein denaturation and DNA damage (Kim et al., 1997; Mora et al., 2003). Mucuna pruriens Linn. DC. (Leguminosae) is annual climbing legume endemic in India and in other parts of the tropics including Central and South America. In India, the plant is known by different local names like ‘‘the cowhage’’, ‘‘velvet’’ bean and ‘‘atmagupta’’. In Ayurvedic system of medicine, M. *Corresponding author. E-mail: ketan_modi11@rediffmail.com; Tel.: +919426321703. Fax: +91281 2384279